18960923 Burglary at the church 23rd September 1896 p398

398/

1896

Wednesday, 23^rd September, 1896:- On the afternoon of this day a burglary was discovered to have been perpetrated in the Vestry, on Tuesday night or early on Wednesday morning. The safe was broken into, and the sum of £6 .2. 00, in silver and coppers, was abstracted from the drawers of the safe. The safe also contained a box holding the Holy Communion Plate, this was taken out and opened, but none of the plate was removed.

The principal implement used was a large strong pick-axe, which was kept by the sexton in a closet under the belfry stairs, and was used by him to help in opening graves in the church yard. How an entrance was effected has not been ascertained, but departure was effected through the Vestry door which was found latched but unlocked.